Picture frame



A. COHEN FECTURE FRAME Dec. 3, 1940.

Filed. May 7, 1940 TTM Patented Dec. 3, 1940 1,'.UN1TED STATE PICTURE FRAME Albert Cohen, Washington, D. C. 'Application May 7, 1940, serial No. 333,853

, 2'Claims.

This invention relates to newvand useful im#- provements in picture frames of the type where the ornamentality is enhanced by the insertion in the face of the frame a separate panel of contrasting characteristics.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a means for mounting the panel in the frame that is self sustaining and does not require the use of adhesive or separate fastening means to hold the panel in position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame formed of a plurality of sections each of which is adapted to receive and sustain a rigid ornamental coextensive panel in the face thereof upon assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame molding channeled from end to end to receive and sustain therein a rigid ornamental panel.

Other objects will, from the description, be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure constitutes an exposition of an embodiment of the invention, and illustrates the best means I have thus far devised for reducing the invention to practice. It is to be understood that the structural details shown and described shall not constitute limitations inconsistent with the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an assembled picture frame showing the ornamental panel in the face thereof.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is an endv perspective of one of the frame sections.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a section of molding with the ends mitered for assembly in a frame.

Figure 5 is a modification of my invention showing in cross section a portion of the picture frame.

The use of ornamental panel inserts in picture frames is 1Known, but the panels are usually inlaid in a recess mortised in the face of the molding and held by an adhesive backing, screws passing through the panel into molding, or similar separate fastening means. In modern picture frame manufacture these panels are usually mirror strips, colored glass or similar rigid material and such methods of mounting are unsatisfactory. Adhesives tend to discolor the panels and destroy the ornamentality of the frame. The use of separate fastening means is I expensive and not generally satisfactory. In my invention by providing a T-channel in the face of the molding running from end to end, the panels may be easily inserted and are self sustained upon assembly as a frame thus eliminating the objectionable features of prior mountings,

The frame shown in Figure l of the drawing is formed of a molding having a beveled face in which the channel is formed, but obviously the face may be flat or have any desired ornamentation thereon, such as French frames, etc. The l0 frame as assembled comprises upper and lower sections I and 2, connected by side sections 3. Each section is identical and includes a molding M having the usual rabbet 4 for mounting the picture. The face 5 has formed therein a `-'I'- channel 6 having a head 1 in which is mounted the panel 8. The configuration of the channel is such that overhang shoulders 9 and I0 arel formed, lying above the plane of the panel and spaced apart a distance less than the width vof the panel which hold the panel in position when inserted therein. The size of the panel is such that it substantially fills the head portion 1 of the channel, but can easily slide in or out of the same from the end thereof.

The channel 6 is coextensive with the length of the molding and runs through the ends thereof which are mitered at II for assembly in a` frame. The panel 8, formed usually of a rigid material such as glass, is also coextensive with 3() the section in which it is inserted and has its ends correspondingly mitered.

In use the molding M with the T-channel formed therein by conventional means is made up in desired sections with mitered ends. A panel strip 8 for each section is correspondingly formed. As the channel 6 is coextensive with each section, the panel 8, may be easily inserted f in the channel through an open end. As each panel is coextensive with the channel, the sec# tions may then be assembled to form the picture frame.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figure 5, the molding M has a flat face in which is formed a recess I2 with side walls 4 terminating in the plane of the face. To form the T-channel face, strips I3 and I4 are tacked or otherwise secured to the face with opposed ends overlying the recess I2 to form overhanging shoulders I5. In this form, as in the preferred form, the panel 8 is inserted from the end and seats in the recess I2, the recess and strips I3 and I4 being coextensive with the section of the molding of the frame. 'I'he assembly of the picture frame being then as previously described.

therein. The term picture frame used hereindesignates any form of ornamental molding or edging. K

I claim:

l. A picture frame formed of a plurality of sections each having a longitudinal-lyV extending coextensive channel in the face thereof, a rigid coextensive ornamental panel mounted in each channel and freely f movable therein,` opposed overhanging shoulders foreach channel above the plane of the panel and spaced apart 'a distance less than the Width of the panel, and each section having the channel rextending through the end thereof to permit insertion of the coextensive panels before assemblage of the frame whereby upon assemblage the panels are `held in position withoutA the use of separate fastening means.

2. A picture frame formed of a plurality of sections each having a longitudinally extending coextensive T-channel in the facethereof, a rigid coextensive ornamental panel mounted in kthe.

head of each channel and freely movable therein hanging shoulders formed by the shank ofthe T-channel, and each section having the channel extending through the end thereof to permit in,- sertion of the coextensive panels before assemfblage ofthe frame whereby upon assemblage the panels are held in position without the useof 20 separate fastening means. I ALBERTCoHmL with the side edge portions beneath the overn 5 

